1993 RP

1993 RP might be a trans-Neptunian object, perhaps 70 kilometers in diameter, from the Kuiper belt in the outermost Solar System. However, the object has only a 2-day observation arc, making the data insufficient to provide virtually any idea of its true orbit. It was first observed on 15 September 1993, by astronomers at the Mauna Kea Observatory, one night after (385185) 1993 RO and the night before (15788) 1993 SB.

1993 RP
Discovery [1][2]
Discovered byDavid C. Jewitt
Jane X. Luu
Discovery siteMauna Kea Obs.
Discovery date15 September 1993
(discovery: first observed only)
Designations
1993 RP
TNO [1] · plutino [3]
Orbital characteristics [1]
Epoch 16 September 1993 (JD 2449246.5)
Uncertainty parameter 9
Observation arc2 days
Aphelion43 ± 5500 AU
Perihelion34 ± 450 AU
39 ± 5000 AU
Eccentricity0.1 ± 124
Inclination2.5 ± 192°
192 ± 55°
Physical characteristics
Dimensions70 km[3]
9.0[1]

    On the discovery date of 15 September 1993 the object was estimated to have been 34 AU (5.1 billion km) from Earth with an uncertainty in the object's distance of ±200 billion km. Johnston's website generically lists it as a plutino, like Pluto, which are objects that stay in a 2:3 orbital resonance with Neptune.[3]

    Briefly observed objects like 1993 RP generally have many possible orbits that fit the very small dataset. 1993 RP could be a TNO/centaur or a much closer main belt asteroid 100 times smaller in diameter. For example, 2004 PR107 was once thought to be a potential dwarf planet, but is now known to be a small main belt asteroid.

    As of 2018, the uncertainty in the object's distance from the Sun is ±7 trillion km (0.74 ly).

    See also

    References
    1. "JPL Small-Body Database Browser: (1993 RP)" (1993-09-17 last obs.). Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Retrieved 29 July 2017.
    2. "1993 RP". Minor Planet Center. Archived from the original on 7 August 2016. Retrieved 29 July 2017.
    3. "List of Known Trans-Neptunian Objects –1993 RP". Johnston's Archive. 22 July 2017. Retrieved 29 July 2017.


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